Imphal: Congress MP and former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, who was dismissed from the university, has been summoned by the Delhi Police for questioning on Thursday in connection with a sexual harassment case.However, he maintained that he would neither apologise nor give in to what he described as institutional harassment.
The development comes after Akoijam was dismissed from JNU by Vice-Chancellor Santishree D Pandit following an inquiry by the university’s Internal Committee (IC), which upheld allegations of sexual harassment against him. Akoijam has denied the allegations and criticised the inquiry process, describing it as a “trial by media” and a “Khap Panchayat”.
He has alleged that the proceedings were conducted hastily and that details were leaked to the media before the process was completed. Akoijam also claimed that he received an email communicating the IC’s findings only hours before the vice-chancellor issued the dismissal order, leaving him insufficient time to respond or challenge the decision.
The case has triggered reactions from academic and civil society organisations, with the JNU Teachers’ Association (JNUTA) and the Global Manipur Federation (GMF) expressing support for the Congress MP and raising concerns about the procedures followed.
JNUTA alleged that the vice-chancellor bypassed the university’s Executive Council, citing Statute 30 of the JNU Act. The association argued that the council holds the authority to decide on dismissal and questioned the legality of the action taken against Akoijam.
The GMF, meanwhile, expressed concern that the controversy surrounding the MP could divert public attention from the ongoing humanitarian crisis and ethnic violence in Manipur.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, has called for Akoijam’s resignation from Parliament. A delegation of women BJP MPs, including Bansuri Swaraj and Manipur BJP president A Sharda Devi, met President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan to press their demand.
The BJP leaders sought Akoijam’s resignation on moral grounds and criticised the Congress leadership for its response to the allegations. Sharda Devi also accused supporters of the MP of mistreating women during ongoing protests in Manipur, arguing that the allegations raised serious questions about the responsibilities of an educator and public representative.
The controversy has drawn competing responses from political parties and organisations, with questions surrounding the inquiry and dismissal process, as well as demands for political accountability, continuing to shape the debate.